Multiscale modelling and simulation of single crystal superalloy turbine blade casting during directional solidification process

As the key parts of an aero-engine,single crystal(SX)superalloy turbine blades have been the focus of much attention.However,casting defects often occur during the manufacturing process of the SX turbine blades.Modeling and simulation technology can help to optimize the manufacturing process of SX blades.Multiscale coupled models were proposed and used to simulate the physical phenomena occurring during the directional solidification(DS)process.Coupled with heat transfer(macroscale)and grain growth(meso-scale),3D dendritic grain growth was calculated to show the competitive grain growth at micro-scale.SX grain selection behavior was studied by the simulation and experiments.The results show that the geometrical structure and technical parameters had strong influences on the grain selection effectiveness.Based on the coupled models,heat transfer,grain growth and microstructure evolution of a complex hollow SX blade were simulated.Both the simulated and experimental results show that the stray grain occurred at the platform of the SX blade when a constant withdrawal rate was used in manufacturing process.In order to avoid the formation of the stray crystal,the multi-scale coupled models and the withdrawal rate optimized technique were applied to the same SX turbine blade.The modeling results indicated that the optimized variable withdrawal rate can achieve SX blade castings with no stray grains,which was also proved by the experiments.

A CNN-Based Single-Stage Occlusion Real-Time Target Detection Method

Aiming at the problem of low accuracy of traditional target detection methods for target detection in endoscopes in substation environments, a CNN-based real-time detection method for masked targets is proposed. The method adopts the overall design of backbone network, detection network and algorithmic parameter optimisation method, completes the model training on the self-constructed occlusion target dataset, and adopts the multi-scale perception method for target detection. The HNM algorithm is used to screen positive and negative samples during the training process, and the NMS algorithm is used to post-process the prediction results during the detection process to improve the detection efficiency. After experimental validation, the obtained model has the multi-class average predicted value (mAP) of the dataset. It has general advantages over traditional target detection methods. The detection time of a single target on FDDB dataset is 39 ms, which can meet the need of real-time target detection. In addition, the project team has successfully deployed the method into substations and put it into use in many places in Beijing, which is important for achieving the anomaly of occlusion target detection.

Multi-Criteria Group Decision-Making Method Based on an Improved Single-Valued Neutrosophic Hamacher Weighted Average Operator and Grey Relational Analysis

This paper proposes a multi-criteria decision-making (MCGDM) method based on the improved single-valued neutrosophic Hamacher weighted averaging (ISNHWA) operator and grey relational analysis (GRA) to overcome the limitations of present methods based on aggregation operators. First, the limitations of several existing single-valued neutrosophic weighted averaging aggregation operators (i.e. , the single-valued neutrosophic weighted averaging, single-valued neutrosophic weighted algebraic averaging, single-valued neutrosophic weighted Einstein averaging, single-valued neutrosophic Frank weighted averaging, and single-valued neutrosophic Hamacher weighted averaging operators), which can produce some indeterminate terms in the aggregation process, are discussed. Second, an ISNHWA operator was developed to overcome the limitations of existing operators. Third, the properties of the proposed operator, including idempotency, boundedness, monotonicity, and commutativity, were analyzed. Application examples confirmed that the ISNHWA operator and the proposed MCGDM method are rational and effective. The proposed improved ISNHWA operator and MCGDM method can overcome the indeterminate results in some special cases in existing single-valued neutrosophic weighted averaging aggregation operators and MCGDM methods.

MC CARBIDE FLOATATION IN A HOT CORROSION RESISTANT SINGLE CRYSTAL Ni-BASE SUPERALLOY DURING DIRECTIONAL SOLIDIFICATION

The floating phenomenon of MC carbide(TiC)in a hot corrosion resistant single crystal Ni-base superalloy was observed during planar and cellular interface directional solidification.The explanation about the phenomenon is presented.

Effect of competitive crystal growth on microstructural characteristics of directionally solidified nickel-based single crystal superalloy

Directionally solidified single crystal superalloy test bars were prepared by the spiral grain selection method.The microstructural evolution and orientation characteristics of the starter block and spiral part were studied,and the influence of the competitive growth of crystals on the microstructural characteristics was analyzed.The results show that the divergent grain groups,with small size and randomly oriented grains,appear at the bottom of the start block due to the chilling effect,which is an important area for competitive growth.As the height of the starter block increases,the primary dendrite spacing increases,and the grain density decreases;furthermore,the proportion of grains with an orientation deflection angle less than 10°gradually increases.The<001>texture gradually becomes stronger as the height of the starter block increases,which indicates that the competitive growth of crystals gradually weakens.At the initial stage of the crystal selection in the spiral part,the obstacle of adjacent grains and spiral passage is the main working mechanism.The grains located at the inner side of the front edge of the spiral passage have the growth advantage.The single crystal screening process is achieved at about two-thirds of the spiral height,and the single crystal with the orientation deviation angle of 6.7°from the casting axis is prepared.

Economical quantum secure direct communication network with single photons

In this paper a scheme for quantum secure direct communication （QSDC） network is proposed with a sequence of polarized single photons. The single photons are prepared originally in the same state （0） by the servers on the network, which will reduce the difficulty for the legitimate users to check eavesdropping largely. The users code the information on the single photons with two unitary operations which do not change their measuring bases. Some decoy photons, which are produced by operating the sample photons with a Hadamard, are used for preventing a potentially dishonest server from eavesdropping the quantum lines freely. This scheme is an economical one as it is the easiest way for QSDC network communication securely.

Study on Measurement Methods of Multi-Directional Waves—Wave Gauge Array Method

Measuring multi-directional waves with the wave gauge array is one of the fundamental and easily realised methods. In this paper, the wave gauge array is described and the effects of the gauge spacing, the array orientations, etc. of the three array arrangements, i. e., linear array, T-type array and pentagon array, on the resolution of the directional spreading of waves, are investigated experimentally. This study can be used as a reference in the experimental study and the field measurement of directional waves.

Microstructure and mechanical properties of AZ61 Mg alloy prepared by multi directional forging

AZ61Mg alloy was multi directionally forged(MDFed) during decreasing temperature condition from 643 K to 483 K at a true strain rate of 3×10-3 s-1 up to cumulative strain of∑△ε=4.0 at maximum.A pass strain of△ε=0.8 was employed.While average grain size decreased gradually with increasing cumulative strain,the evolution of fine-grained structure strongly depended on the MDF temperature.Under the condition where the temperature was higher than the most adequate one,grain coarsening partially took place during MDF.In contrast,at lower temperature,inhomogeneous microstructure composed of the initial coarse and newly appeared fine grains was evolved.After straining over∑△ε=3.2(i.e.,over 4 passes of MDF) ,equiaxed ultrafine grains(UFGs) having average size of about and lower than 1μm were uniformly evolved.While the MDFed alloy to∑△ε=4.0 possessed relatively high hardness of HV 99,and it accepted further about 20%cold rolling almost without cracking.Because of the superior formability of the UFGed AZ61Mg alloy,the hardness was further easily raised to HV 120 by following cold rolling.

Three-dimensional free vibration analysis of multi-directional functionally graded piezoelectric annular plates on elastic foundations via state space based differential quadrature method

The three-dimensional free vibration analysis of a multi-directional func- tionally graded piezoelectric （FGP） annular plate resting on two parameter （Pasternak） elastic foundations is investigated under different boundary conditions. The material properties are assumed to vary continuously along the radial and thickness directions and have exponent-law distribution. A semi-analytical approach named the state space based differential quadrature method （SSDQM） is used to provide an analytical solution along the thickness using the state space method （SSM） and an approximate solution along the radial direction using the one-dimensional differential quadrature method （DQM）. The influence of the Winkler and shear stiffness of the foundation~ the material property graded variations, and the circumferential wave number on the nomdimensional natural frequency of multi-directional FGP annular plates is studied.

Analysis on Output Power for Multi-direction Piezoelectric Vibration Energy Harvester

To predict the performance of multi-direction piezoelectric vibration energy harvester,an equation for calculating its output power is obtained based on elastic mechanics theory and piezoelectricity theory.Experiments are performed to verify theoretical analysis.When the excitation direction is along Y direction,a maximal output power about 0.139 mW can be harvested at a resistive load of 65kΩ and an excitation frequency of 136 Hz.Theoretical analysis agrees well with experimental results.Furthermore,the performance of multi-direction vibration energy harvester is experimentally tested.The results show that the multi-direction vibration energy harvester can harvest perfect energy as the excitation direction changes in XY plane,YZ plane,XZ plane and body diagonal plane of the harvester.

Effect of suppressing dust by multi-direction whirling air curtain on fully mechanized mining face

A combined method of numerical simulation and field testing was adopted in this study in the interest of solving the problem of hard to control high concentrate dusts on a fully mechanized mining face.In addition,the dust suppression effect of a multi-direction whirling air curtain was studied in this paper.Under the influence of the wall attachment effect,the compressed air which blows out from the two-phase or three-phase radial outlets on the generator of the air curtain can form a multi-direction whirling air curtain,which can cover the whole roadway section of a fully mechanized mining face.The traditional method of controlling dust is a forcing system with exhaust overlap which has the major disadvantage of lacking a jet effect and consequently results in poor dust control.It is difficult to form the air flow field within the range of L_p5Sr^(1/2).However,due to the effect of this novel system,the radial airflow can be turned into axial airflow allowing fresh air to flow through the length of the heading.The air flow field which is good at controlling dust diffusion can be formed 12.8 m from the heading face.Furthermore,the field measurement results show that before the application of a multi-direction whirling air curtain,the dust concentration is 348.6 mg/m^3 and 271.4 mg/m^3 respectively at the roadway cross-section measurement points which are 5 m and 10 m from the heading face.However,after the application of the multi-direction whirling air curtain,the dust concentration is only 61.2 mg/m^3 and 14.8 mg/m^3,respectively.Therefore,the dust control effect of a multi-direction whirling air curtain is obvious.

Loading System for Full-Scale Heavy-Duty Support Node Test with Multi-Directional Loading Requirements

This paper presents the design, analysis and experimental study of a loading system for heavy-duty nodes test based on a large-scale multi-directional in-plane loading device, which has been used in a full-scale heavy-duty support node test. Test loads of the support reached 6 567 kN with multi-directional loading requirements, which outrange the capacity of the available loading devices. Through the reinforcement of a large-scale multi-directional inplane loading device, the innovative design of a self-balanced load transferring device, and other arrangement considerations of the loading system, the test was implemented and the loading capacity of the ring was considerably enlarged. Due to the heavy loading requirements, some checking computations of the ring and the load transferring device outranged the limit of the Chinese national code "Code for Design of Steel Structures (GB 50017—2003)", thus elastic-plastic finite element (FE) analysis was carried out on the two devices, and also the real-time monitoring on the whole loading systems during experiments to ensure test safety. FE analysis and test results show that the loading system worked elastically during experiments.

Single-allergen Sublingual Immunotherapy versus Multi-allergen Subcutaneous Immunotherapy for Children with Allergic Rhinitis

It has always been controversial whether a single allergen performs better than multiple allergens in polysensitized patients during the allergen-specific immunotherapy. This study aimed to examine the clinical efficacy of single-allergen sublingual immunotherapy(SLIT) versus multi-allergen subcutaneous immunotherapy(SCIT) and to discover the change of the biomarker IL-4 after 1-year immunotherapy in polysensitized children aged 6–13 years with allergic rhinitis(AR) induced by house dust mites(HDMs). The AR polysensitized children(n=78) were randomly divided into two groups: SLIT group and SCIT group. Patients in the SLIT group sublingually received a single HDM extract and those in the SCIT group were subcutaneously given multiple-allergen extracts(HDM in combination with other clinically relevant allergen extracts). Before and 1 year after the allergen-specific immunotherapy(ASIT), the total nasal symptom scores(TNSS), total medication scores(TMS) and IL-4 levels in peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMCs) were compared respectively between the two groups. The results showed that the TNSS were greatly improved, and the TMS and IL-4 levels were significantly decreased after 1-year ASIT in both groups(SLIT group: P<0.001; SCIT group: P<0.001). There were no significant differences in any outcome measures between the two groups(for TNSS: P>0.05; for TMS: P>0.05; for IL-4 levels: P>0.05). It was concluded that the clinical efficacy of single-allergen SLIT is comparable with that of multi-allergen SCIT in 6–13-year-old children with HDM-induced AR.

Analysis for the Deployment of Single-Point Mooring Buoy System Based on Multi-Body Dynamics Method

Deployment of buoy systems is one of the most important procedures for the operation of buoy system. In the present study, a single-point mooring buoy system which contains surface buoy, cable segments with components, anchor and so on is modeled by applying multi-body dynamics method. The motion equations are developed in discrete node description and fully Cartesian coordinates. Then numerical method is used to solve the ordinary differential equations and dynamics simulations are achieved while anchor is casting from board. The trajectories and velocities of different nodes without current and with current in buoy system are obtained. The transient tension force of each part of the cable is analyzed in the process of deployment. Numerical results indicate that the transient payload increases to a peak value when the anchor is touching the seabed and the maximum tension force will vary with different floating configuration. This work is helpful for design and deployment planning of buoy system.

Multi-Channel Iterative FDE for Single Carrier Block Transmission over Underwater Acoustic Channels

Recently, single carrier block transmission(SCBT) has received much attention in high-rate phase-coherent underwater acoustic communication.However,minimum-mean-square-error(MMSE) linear FDE may suffer performance loss in the severely time dispersive underwater acoustic channel. To combat the channel distortion, a novel multi-channel receiver with maximum ratio combining and a low complex T/4 fractional iterative frequency domain equalization(FDE) is investigated to improve diversity gain and the bit error rate(BER) performance. The proposed method has been verified by the real data from a lake underwater acoustic communication test in November 2011. At 1.8 km, the useful data rates are around 1500 and 3000 bits/s for BPSK and QPSK respectively. The results show the improvements of system performance. Compared with MMSE FDE system, the output SNR improvement is 6.9 d B, and the BER is from 10-3 to no error bits for BPSK. The output SNR improvement is 5.3 d B, and the BER is from 1.91×10-2 to 2.2×10-4for QPSK.

Single and double Auger decay of 4f-ionized mercury including cascade and direct processes

Single（SA） and double（DA） Auger decay including cascade and direct processes are investigated for Hg 4 f^（-1） with multiconfiguration Dirac–Fock method and two-step approaches, i.e., knockout and shakeoff mechanisms. Due to the computational effort, only the major transitions are considered to describe the SA and DA decays for the Hg＋ions with complex electronic configurations. In order to estimate the Auger transition energies and amplitudes, the reference configuration sets producing the configuration state functions are carefully chosen for balancing electron correlations among the successive singly, doubly and triply ionized mercury. The Auger rates and electron spectra, DA probabilities as well as the populations of the final Hg^（3＋）states are obtained. Our results well explain the recent experimental data about the 4 f hole states of Hg[Palaudoux J et al., Phys. Rev. A 91 012513（2015）], and could provide guidance for further studies on complex atoms.Particularly for the DA decay, the contributions of the direct processes, which are neglected in their calculations, are found to be important, accounting for as high as about 38% and 34% of the total DA decays for the 4 f（7/2）^（-1） and 4 f（5/2）^（-1）, respectively.

Fatigue Properties of RPC under Cyclic Loads of Single-stage and Multi-level Amplitude

Fatigue properties of Reactive Powder Concrete （RPC） under axial compression of single-stage and multi-level amplitude in cycles were studied. The tests reveal the fatigue life, the strain and residual life of the RPC samples. Through the analysis of the test results under cyclic loads of single amplitude, the S-N curve of RPC and the evolution rule of macro-damage of RPC were presented, which can be divided into latency stage, stable development stage and instability development stage according to the evolution pattern of the fatigue crack. Accordingly, the development of longitudinal deformation presents the similar three-stage-model, and the proportion of each stage is 15%, 75%, and 10%. According to test results, the fatigue strength reduction factor is 0.564. We brought forward an empirical formula to predict the life of RPC via total longitudinal strain and got the evolving rule for the residual strength of the RPC. The analysis of the test results under cyclic loads of multi-level amplitude shows that the strain under this loading pattern experiences three stages. The characteristic value for the residual strain was obtained. The irreversible damage and non-linear evolution of RPC was described by the development of the residual plastic strain.

Multi-Direction Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting Techniques

With the development of portable and self-powering electronic devices, micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) and wireless sensor networks, research on piezoelectric energy harvesting techniques has been paid more and more attention. To enhance the ambient adaptability and improve the generating efficiency, the multi-directional piezoelectric energy harvesting techniques turns to be a research hotspot. The current status of the multi-directional piezoelectric energy harvesting techniques was firstly reviewed. The characteristics of existed multi-directional piezoelectric harvester were then analyzed. An improved structure of multi-directional piezoelectric harvester was finally proposed. The multi-directional piezoelectric energy harvester has a good prospect in miniaturization, more sensitive to vibration directions and better energy efficiency.